MGBLTH: " - Ir Bu'Fion OF" TT" - I, - Eil .I - C:LJ Lmii 11 f"%MI"I"-I'II

S_D--88-0 475
SANDBB-0475 DE91 007149

Unlimited Release
Printed January 1991
G-TUNNEL WELDED TUFF MINING EXPERIMENT PREPARATIONS
by
Roger M. Zimmerman
S&ndia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, NM
Robert A. Bellman, Jr., and

Kevin L. Msnn
Science Applications International Corporation
Las Vegas, NV
Daniel P. Zerga
Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas
San Francisco, CA
ABSTRACT
Designers and analysts of radioactive waste repositories must be able

to predict the mechanical behavior of the host rock. Sandia National
Laboratories elected to conduct a mine-by in welded tuff so that
t predictive-type information could be obtained regarding the response of the
rock to a drill and blast excavatio.n process, where smooth blasting tech-
niques were used. Included in the study were evaluations of and recom-
, mendations for various measurement systems that might be used in future
mine-by efforts. This report summarizes the preparations leading to the
recording of data.
" _iR BU'FION OF" Tt"_i,_ Eil<.i_C:LJ_'_="'

lmii 11 f"%MI"I"- I'II
Mgblth
This report was prepared under the requirements for Quality Assurance
Level II!. D
ii
CONTENTS
• I.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................... i -i
I.i Background ................................................ I-i

1.2 Purpose ................................................... I-2
1.3 Contents of Report ........................................ 1-3/
1-4
2.0 EXPERIMENT LAYOUTS AND GEOLOGY ................................. 2- I
2. I Experiment Layouts ......................... ............... 2 -I

2.2 _rM Geology ............................................... 2-4
3.0 DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS (DASs) ................................. 3- i
3.1 Computerized Data Acquisition ............................. 3-I
3.1.1 Components of the Data Acquisition System .......... 3-1

3.1.2 Types of Instruments ............................... 3-3
3.1.3 Data Operations ..................................... 3-5
3.2 Manually Recorded Data ................. ................... 3-6
4.0 DAS CONNECTED INSTRUMENTATION DESCRIPTIONS ..................... 4- i
4.1 Multi-Point Borehole Extensometers (MPBX) ................. 4-I
4.1.1 MPBX--Components and Principles .................... 4-1

4.1.2 MPBX--Irad Measurement Equipment ................... 4-3
4. I. 3 MPBX--Sinco/Terrametrics Measurement Equipment ..... 4-6
4.1.4 MPBX--Geokon Measurement Equipment ................. 4-7
4.1.5 MPBX--Installation Sequences and Protective
Measures ............................................ 4 -7
4.2 Borehole Stressmeter ,',BSM)................................ 4-8
4.2.1 Measurement Principle ............................... 4-8

4.2.2 Measurement Equipmert .............................. 4-9
4.2.3 Installation Sequence .............................. 4-II
4.3 Rock Bolt Load Cell (RBLC) ................................ 4-12
4.3.1 Measurement Principle .............................. 4-12

4.3.2 RBLC Measurement Equipmenu ......................... 4-12
' 4.3.3 Installation Sequence ............................... 4-14
5.0 MANUAL MEASUREMENT DESCRIPTIONS ................................ 5- I
5.1 Tape Extensometer (TE) .................................... 5-I
iii
CONTENTS (continued)
5.1.1 Measurement Principle 5-1 ,,

5.1.2 Measurement Equipment ...... ........................ 5-1
5.1.3 Measurement Sequence ............................... 5-1
5.2 Borehole Injection (BI) ................................... 5-3
5.2.1 Measurement Principle ... ........................... 5-3

5.2.2 Measurement Equipment ............................... 5-6
5.2.3 Measurement Procedures ............................. 5-9
5.3 Borehole Deflectometer (BD) ............................... 5-11
5.3.1 Measurement Principle .............................. 5-12

5.3.2 Measurement Equipment ........................... ... 5-12
5.3.3 Measurement Procedures .............................. 5-15
5.4 Hydraulic Pressure Cells .................................. 5-15
5.4.1 Measurement Principle ............................... 5-16

5.4.2 Measurement Equipment .............................. 5-16
5.4.3 Installation Features .............................. 5-16
5.5 Borehole Grouting 5-18
5.5.1 Borehole Grouting Procedures ....................... 5-18
6.0 MINING ACTIVITIES .............................................. 6-1
6.1 Controlled Blasting 6-1
6.1.1 Controlled Blasting Objectives for G-Tunnel ........ 6-1
i 6.1.2 Controlled Blasting Techniques ..................... 6-3
6,2 Smooth Blasting ........................................... 6-3

i 6.2.1 Smooth Blasting Concepts ........................... 6-3
m
| 6.2.2 Smooth Blasting Factors ............................ 6-6
! 6.2.3 Smooth Blasting Details ............................ 6-7
6.2.3.1 Blast Patterns 6-7

6.2.3.2 Explosives ................................ 6-10
6.2.3.3 Drilling for Blasting ..................... 6-14
6.3 Ground Support ............................................. 6-14
iv
CONTENTS (concluded)
• ea_
. 7,0 SUMMARY ......................................................... 7-I/

7-2
8.0 REFERENCES ..................................................... 8-I
APPENDIX: RIB/SEPDB Data ........................................... A-l/

A-2
V
LIST OF FIGURES
2-1 Plan View of Demonstration Drift Details Associated with

Welded Tuff Mining Experiments ................................. 2-2
2-2 Elevation View Showing Location of Instrumentation and
Measurement Holes Relative to Major Dr_fts with Typical
Geologic Features ............................................. 2-3
2-3 Stratigraphlc Contacts at Station B ........................... 2-6
2-4 Stratlgraphic Contacts at Station D ............................ 2-7
2-5 Stratigraphic Contacts at Station F ........................... 2-8
3-1 Block Diagram Illustrating DAS ................................ 3-2
4-1 Schematic Showing Typical MPBX Arrangement .................... 4-2

4-2 Schematics Showing BSM Placements ............................. 4-10
4-3 Elevation View Showing Principal RBLC Features .............. .. 4-13
4-4 Configuration of Panel Prior to Grouting ...................... 4-15
4-5 Details of Rock Bolt Load Installation in Roof ................ 4-16
5-1 Tape Extensometer Measurement Arrangement ..................... 5-2

5-2 Schematics Showing Principle of Borehole Permeability Testing . 5-4
5-3 Schematic of Borehole Injection Testing Apparatus ............. 5-7
5-4 Photograph of Permeability Testing Apparatus .................. 5-8
5-5 Photograph of Borehole Injection Assembly ..................... 5-10
5-6 Schematic Showing Mining-Related Deflectometer Measurement
Concept ....................................................... 5-13
5-7 Schematic of Borehole Deflectometer in Casing ................. 5-14
5-8 Schematic Showing Major Components of Hydraulic
Pressure Cell ................................................. 5-17
5-9 Schematics Showing HPC Details ................................ 5-19
5-10 Typical Grouting Details for BD and MPBX Boreholes ............ 5-21
6-1 Schematics Showing a Burn Cut and an Angle Cut ................ 6-5
6-2 Plan View Showing Blast Rounds ................................ 6-8
6-3 "Hex Burn" Blast Design for Rounds 4 and 5 .................... 6-9
6-4 "V-Cut" Blast Design for Round 6B ............... ,............. 6-11
6-5 "Triangular Burn Cut" for Rounds 7 through 12 ................. 6-12
6-6 Final Ground Support for Demonstration Drift ................... 6-16
vi
LIST OF TABLES
Table
- 2-i Borehole Descriptive Information .............................. 2-5

2 -2 Stratigraphic Description ..................................... 2 -9
3 1 Descriptive Information for Computer Based Measurements ....... 3-4

3-2 Descriptive Information for Manually Obtained Data ............ 3-7/
3-8
4-i MPBX Descriptive Information .................................. 4-4
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are indebted to many for their contributions to these

welded tuff mining evaluations. In particular, we wish to acknowledge
contributions from the following'
From Sandia National Laboratories
Robert L. Schuch For an excellent job of coordinating activities of

personnel from SNL, SAIC, PBQ&D, and REECo
Joe Bradshaw For exceptional dedication in the preparation of equip-
ment and collection of the permeability data as well as
overall support for the needs of the program
Carl Denney For technical expertise leading to the setup of the
data acquisition system and the conversion of Irad
gages from manual to monitored measurements
John Talbutt For very helpful assistance in G-Tunnel operations and
logistics
Les Shephard For extremely helpful comments and criticisms in the
peer review
Larry Costin For extremely helpful comments and criticisms in the
peer review
From Science Applications International Corporation
Mike Allen For exceptional dedication in the tape extensometer

data collection and the installation of field
instruments
Brian Keehi For diligence in support of laboratory and field data
collection
From Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas
Will Streeter For generous applications of talents in mining

activities
From EG&G
Don Mason For skill in developing the software for the data
acquistion system and help in keeping it operating
From Fenix and Scisson
Mike O'Brien For continued support in geologic interpretations
From REECo
Don Hembre For assistance as REECO pr<lect manager in the planning "
and conduction of the drilling and mining activities
viii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (concluded)
Lavell Atkinson For assistance as REECo tunnel superintendent in the

planning and conduction of the drilling and mining
• activities
Sam Williams For very helpful assistance in the planning and conduc-
tion of the field activities
REECo Miners and For their cooperation and patience in doing a
Drillers nontraditional job to support underground research
ix/x
1.0 INTRODUCTION
i.I Ba__ekground
Yucca Mountain on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) is composed of a thick
sequence of volcanic ash-fall and ash-flow ruffs. This mountain is being

considered as a site for a nuclear waste reposltory, and feasibility
studies for this purpose are being conducted by the Yucca Mountain Project
(YMP) (DOE, 1980). G-Tunnel, ]ocated in Rainier Mesa on the NTS, inter-
sects layers of welded and nonwelded tuffs that have thermal and mechanical
properties and ntress states (Zimmerman and Finley, 1987) similar to the
tuffs in Yucca Mountain. The welded tuff mining (WTM) experiment consists
of rock mechanics measurements and evaluations needed to ensure that tech-
nologies are adequately developed before testing in the Exploratory Shaft

Facility (ESF) at Yucca Mountain. The availability of G-Tunnel for
i_nediate field experimentation allows Sandia National Laboratories (SNL),
a participant in the YMP, to conduct field characterizations of tuffs with-
out expensive excavation and facility development costs.
Designers and analysts within the YMP are involved in evaluating
repository design and performance aspects and developing capabilities for

predicting rock mass behavior. Repository designers require adequate
predictions of the behavior of the host rock for operating periods over
50 yr. Repository performance assessment analysts need to predict contain-

ment and isolation of radioactive wastes for more than i0,000 yr after
closure. These predictions are made through numerical models that have to
be developed, verified, and validated. Field-scale tests document the
response of the host rock to excavations and thermal pulses, and the
resulting data are used to confirm the adequacy of the numerical models in
a formal validation process. This report documents measurements associated
with rock mass convergence resulting from the excavation process. These
results are applicable to preliminary repository conceptual designs, where

Q
some knowledge of field-based behavior is needed. These measurement

results are also compared with calculations from numerical models to
provide preliminary assessments that will help guide future analytical and
experimental activities.
I-i
Insitu site characterization is planned as part of future ES rock
mechanics efforts. SNL has responsibility for the geomechanics testing in

that effort, and a suite of field experiments is planned (DOE, 1988). The
testing discussed in this report includes many testing concepts planned for
ES testing. The testing in the ES must satisfy stringent quality assurance

requirements that include the use of detailed test procedures. Many of
these procedures will be based on experiences gained during this testing.
1.2 Purpose
The G-Tunnel WTM evaluations represent a series of measurements and
analyses conducted during the excavation of a relatively short drift, with
cross-sectional dimensions representative of some repository drifts.
Measurements were made in a jointed rock mass before, during, and after the
excavation process. This is the flrst tlme that this has been done in
either welded or nonwelded tuffs.
The primary purpose of these evaluation= was to document, analyze, and

evaluate in a preliminary manner the behavior of the welded tuff before,
during, and after the excavation process. Important considerations in this

effort were to
• analyze drift convergence phenomena,
• review adequacies of existing rock mass rating techniques, and
• apply and review control blasting techniques.
A secondary purpose was to evaluate measurement systems for later use

in ES testing. Important considerations were to
• apply two new methods to measure rock mass responses to the mining
process and
• evaluate measurement types, techniques, and procedures.
1-2
1.3 Contents of Report
The WTM experiment is documented in four reports (I) preparations,
(2) data summary, (3) experiment evaluations and (4) instrumentation

evaluations. This document is the first of the four and summarizes the
activities leading to and in support of data collection. Major sections in
this report are the experiment layout, pertinent geology, theldata acquisi-
tion system, and mining and instrumentation details. For the latter, each
instrument is discussed in terms of the measurement principle, the equip-

ment used, and the installation details.
The second report (Zimmerman et al., 1989) is a data summary that
includes data histories in engineering units. The third report (Zimmerman
et al., 1988) summarizes the evaluations and recommendations that apply to

the measurement systems and the rock mass behavior. The fourth report
(Zimmerman, R. M., R. A. Bellman Jr., K. L. Mann, and T. William Thompson,
"G-Tunnel Welded Tuff Mining Experiment Instrumentation Evaluations,"

SAND88-1331, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, Draft)
t
summarizes the behavior of the instrumentation and data acquisition system
1-3/1-4
2.0 EXPERIMENT LAYOUTS AND GEOLOGY
2.I Experiment Layouts
The WTM experiment was conducted in the G-Tunnel Underground Facility
(GTUF) using two drifts. Figure 2-1 shows a plan view of the two drifts.
The first drift constructed was the 12-Drift extension. The drift was
mined from the U12.g.12 drift that forms a major dr_ft in the G-Tunnel
network. The 12-Drift contains the tunnel rail system and is loc_ted in
nonwelded tuff. The 12-Drift was driven on a bearing of S 55°W so that it
would be parallel to an existing drift in the GTUF, called the Extensometer

Drift, The plan was that the 12-Drift would be used as the observation or
monitoring drift for the mining of the Demonstration Drift. The observa-
tion drift preferably would be at the same level as the mine-by drift, but
it was located at a lower elevation co minimize expenses during this
developmental effort. Boreholes were drilled from the 12-Drift into the
rock mass into which the lemonstrat!on Drift would be mined so that
measurements could be made before, during, and after the excavation. The
Demonstration Drift is located in welded tuff and has the cross-sectional
dimensions representative of many large repository drifts. Construction of

the drift would demonstrate the ability to construct and stabilize a
relatively wide drift in fractured welded tuff.
Figure 2-1 shows the measurement stations that were used for both tbe
Demonstration Drift and the 12-Drift. Pertinent dimensions and geologic
structural features (see Section 2.2) are shown in the figure. The
state,Lm were normally located after each mining round. Two stations, C
and E, were l_ated at predetermined distances because of the presence of
statlon-dependent _,_qtrumentation originating from the 12-Drlft.
Figure 2-2 shows a representative elevation view of the two drifts
with pertinent dimensions and major instrum_ntat ion positions. Multiple-

point borehole extensometers (MPBXs), with origins in the Demonstration
Drift, were located in Positions 1 through 6, and MPBXs were located with
origins in the 12-Drift and identified with Position 7. MPBXs are
2-i
2-2
,v
#3 NONWELDED TUFF
#2 _.._
. \ _..._. I / #4
\ /
\ I _"_"_-L..
\ I _f2 /
MODERATELY \ _1 I /
WELDED TUFF \ I I / #3
\ i I /
I i /
\ / I I
I /
/
GEOLOGIC CONTACT \ t /
DENSEL'Y WELDED _.
. TU,':-F . // \\ \ I / #4
/
/ _, /
/
I /
RUBBLE ZONE I /
/
./--- #5
VITRIC WE /
TUFF /
11I---_$11+111=,
III" =_111_11_111 #
/ DEMONSTRATION
/ DRIFT
I I
NONWELDED TUFF // /
/ I /
/
,1I/'_'''- LONG BOREHOLE
/ /1 (STATIONS B,D,& F)
I /
/ t I
/ I
I /
/ I
// f / I MPBX (STATIONS C & E)
-'=iii--" , /
/
/
I
I SCALE
12-DRIFT I I , I
"_ I 3m
I
IEIII
#6
,,=,,
• Figure 2-2, Elevation View Showing Location of Instrumentation and

Measurement Holes Relative to Major Drifts with Typical
Geologic Features
2-3
"_- identified by station and position number. MPBXs were located only at
- Stations C and E. Thus, a vertical MPBX oriented up at Station C would be ,
_ identified as MPBX C3.
The four long boreholes originating from the 12-Drift, identified by 1

z
through 4 in Figure 2-2, were located at Stations B, D, and F and were used
for special types of pre- and postmining measurements. Measurements in the
steepest borehole at Station B would be identified by Borehole Bl.
The pertinent dimensions and drilling methods for ali of the boreholes
are given in Table 2-1.
2.2 WTM Geology_v
_ Figure 2-1 shows the major geologic structures, including a fault and
fractures. These were visually mapped from the inside of the drift by the
authors. The unnamed normal fault (Strike N 50°W, dip 75 ° , displacement
z -2.5 m) was also observed in the 12-Drift, where it has a 3.6-m displace-
ment as determined by a G-Tunnel geologist. The major fractures in the
Demonstration Drift dip subvertlcally.

-
l_e Demonstration Drift was located in multilayered tuff. Figures 2-3
I through 2-5 show stratigraphic variations determined from G-Tunnel core
logs for the 12 boreholes driven from the 12-Drift before the mining was
started. In some cases, it was hard to identify unit contacts, and these
omissions are evident in the figures. The unit contacts in figures show
the influence of the fault, located between Stations C and D. The location
- of the Demonstration Drift is shown in each figure with the dashed lines.
-
The stratigraphic variations evident in GTUF have been described in other
geological investigations (Langkopf and Eshom, 1982). These classifica-

--
tions had been summarized for use here, and the results are in Table 2-2.
It should be noted that th_ normal fault was not noticed when mining
the 12-Drift because there was i_o significant change in the rock mass
characteristics. However, recovered cores indicated differences in depths
2_4
2-5
a
u.i _-- _1c9 _1. ul

(3
,,, !-
..J
2-6
z
2-8
T___BLE 2-2, STRATIGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION*
Lithologic
. Sequence Location** . Description
Tunnel Bed 5 Underneath Nonwelded ash-fall tuff approximately

Demo. Drift 30 m thick, lt is l!ighly zeolitized,
lightly jointed.
Grouse Canyon Floor Demo. Vitric welded tuff approximately 1.5 m

Drift thick, lt contains less than 5% pheno-
crysts and is mainly alkali feldspar
with small amounts of quartz.
Grouse Canyon Intersects Rubble zone approximately 1.2 m thick.

Demo. Drift lt contains subangular pebble to
Floor cobblc-zized fragments of predominantly
rhyolitic composition in an oxidized
matrix of orangish-brown clay.
Grouse Canyon Intersects Densely and some moderately welded tuff

Demo. Drift approximately 6.1 m thick. It contains
approximately 10% median-grained pheno-
crysts, is mainly alkali feldspar, and
contains black fiamme. It also con-
tains fractures in somewhat distinct
sets.
Grouse Canyon Above Demo. Upper moderately welded tuff approxi-

Drift mately 5.7 m thick. Similar to densely
welded with additional uncollapsed
pumice, which is 0.6 cm or less in
diameter. This layer is intermittently
separated from the densely welded tuff
by a rubble zone.
Upper Transition Above Demo. Nonwelded tuff/upper transition zone

Zone Drift 0.6 to 0.9 m thick. Uniformly orange-
brown fine-grained ash flow.
*Extracted from Langkopf and Eshom, 1982.

**Interpretation of authors.
2-9
for stratigraphic contacts and sugges ed a fault was present. A fault with
a 3.6-m displacement was located in the nonwelded tuff after an inspection v
by the G-Tunnel geologist.
The original test plan located the Demonstration Drift entirely in

dersely welded tuff on the basis of geological logs suggesting that the
densely welded tuff was thickening in the direction of the intended mining.
The descriptions obtained from the 12-Drift cores showed that the densely
welded tuff did not thicken and, in fact, showed that the floor of the
planned Demonstration Drift would be located in different parts of the

stratigraphy. Figure 2-3 shows that the floor of the Demonstration Drift
would be near the rubble zone at Station C and in the vitric zone at
Station E. Two options were considered" (i> continue the drift along the
original grade and keep the roof in the densely welded tuff or (2) ramp up
slightly and keep the entire drift in the densely welded tuff, but keep
roof stabilization in overlying moderately welded tuff. Option I was

selected because it was felt that it was more important to stabilize the
drift in the denselywelded material and focus the evaluations on the

behavior of the roof of the drift.
2-10
3.0 DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS (DASs)
Data were acquired using either computer-operated systems or manual
recordings. These two methods are discussed in Chapters 3 through 5.
3.1 Computerized Data Acquisition
The computer system was located in the Instrumentation Alcove, which
is a part of the GTUF.
3.1.1 Co_mponents of the Data Acquisition Sys_
The block diagram describing the computer-based DAS is shown in Figure
3-1. Essential components of the system are
1 Sensor Excitation and Signals,
2 Digital Voltmeter-Scanner,
3 Desktop Computer,
4 Hard Disk Storage,
5 Floppy Disk Storage,
6 Sensor Power Supplies, and
7 Uninterruptible Power Supply.
These components are briefly discussed in the following paragraphs.
The sensors used employed one of the following measurement
technologies: electrical resistance strain gages, direct current-linear
variable differential transformers (DC-LVDT), potentiometers, or sonic wave
velocities. These sensors required different types of excitatlon and
signal conditioning; details are discussed in the respective

instrumentation sections.
The Hewlett Packard (HP) 3497 digital voltmeter-scanner was the DAS
voltage monitoring unit used to record sensor outputs. The sensors were
B
3-1
conv%, lH
lH ii _.7_ _--
,Tg'_t_,'iL j II oi_'rA Iii _ DOWNHOLE ALCOVE
CoHi:98iiEB E R
t
---J _l77UJ!!711
--- _ h ,
DIGITAL
IN;'UTS
VOLTAGE [_- , '--'
,,_ _ _ _I VOLTAOB
EXCITATION
TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE BRIDGE

CIRCUITS "
Figure 3-I. Block Diagram I],lustratlngDAS
3-2
under continuous excitation from power supplies located in the Instrumen-
tation Alcove. Eight different power supplies provided excitation voltages
directly to the sensors. Different power supplies were used for different
types of instruments and for multiple units of simila'_ instruments.
Excitation voltages were continuously monitored in the DAS.
An HP 9845 B desktop computer served as the central processing unit.
Acquisition of data occurred at regular intervals that were specified by
the investigators and controlled through the computer.
Output signals from the sensors were stored on two HP 7912 hard disks,
Raw output voltages were stored on one disk and converted data were stored
on the other Converted data were calculated from software stored in the
computer. The computer could provide for conversions from voltages to the
corresponding engineering units and would allow a limited amount of data
manipulation,
Data were converted from raw voltages using calibration factors and
initial values stored in the calibration file. The calibration file was
stored on an HP 9885 F_oppy Disk.
'The DAS was powered by an Elcard, Model 252-1, 2.5-kW uninterruptible
power supply (UPS). The UPS was connected to the tunnel instrumentation
power line; thus, it was under continuous charge. The UPS was used to
provide (i) continuous and constant voltage power to the DAS and power
supplies, (2) stability to variations of instrumentation line power, and
(3) uninterrupted power if there was a loss of line power. The UPS could
operate at a rate of 2.5 kW for up to 5 hr without charging.
3.1.2 Types o@ Instruments
Table 3-1 lists the number of and different types of instruments that
" were monitored on the DAS. Different sensors are identified with acronyms
for la'er convenience. Also included in the table are descriptions of the
measurement principles and excitation voltage requirements.
3-3
3-4
3.1.3 __ata Operations
The normal mode of oper-'_ion was for the data to be recorded and
stored on the HP 7912 har_! _..sKs at G-Tunnel, and then ali available files
and programs were transferred to a tape cassette, which was hand-carried

to Albuquerque for additional processing for reports. Data were collected
in a series of scans, each of which consisted of recording the DVM-scanner

outputs for each channel and then converting the voltages or processed
sonic probe quantities to reduced data. Complete processing for a scan

took less than 3 min. Each scan (thus each channel) was identified by
time, scan number, file number, and calibration file reference number. The
latter Was used because it was necessary to make changes in the calibration
file as new instruments were brought on line and because a complete record
of ali calibration activities was wanted. The time records were expressed
in terms of J-days, which were numerical accountings of days in decimal

form starting with the first day of each calendar year.
Scanning frequencies were set by the DAS operator in G-Tunnel through
the use of special function keys on the computer. Special function

controls were available to do the following'
I. Change the scan rate and set times for scans.
2. Cause the computer to force a scan immediately.
3. Disable data printing on the internal printer so that there were
no hard copy records of scans.
4. Re-enable data printing on the internal printer so that scan
records could be printed either as a full record or a single line

' indicating time, scan number, file number, and calibration file
used.
5. Plot data versus time on the internal printer.
3-5
6, View and edit the calibration file. A new file number was auto-
matically recorded if a calibration file was changed, p
7, Stop the program.
3.2 _anually Recorded Data
Manual data were recorded on special forms that were designed for each
type of instrument. Table 3-2 summarizes the different types of measure-

ments recorded manually.
3-6
! [II
3-7/3-8
4.0 DAS CONNECTED INSTRUMENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
4_i Multiple-Point Borehole Extensometers (MPBX)
4.1.1 MPBX--Components and _rincip!es
MPBXs are widely used in geomechanics to measure relative displace-

ments between points in a rock mass. Relative displacements between
anchors in the rock and the sensing unit on the surface can be used to help
describe rock mass stiffness and strength behavior as well as to measure
the relaxation phenomena in the rock mass that occurs around an opening.
MPBXs can be more effective if they are installed prior to or as part of

the excavation process; this is one of the main uses of MPBXs in planned ES
testing.
An MPBX consists primarily of (i) a head, (2) the collar pipe, (3)the
rods, and (4) the anchors (Figure 4-1). The head contains the sensors.
Usually the head has a removable cover to protect the sensors. The main
_nction of the head is to serve as a fixture to transfer movements of rod
ends to appropriate sensors. MPBXs can have sensors that are manually read
or monitored by the DAS. 'rhe sensors that are monitored by a DAS operate
electronically, and the electronic hardware can be sensitive to shock waves
created during blasting. Three different types of electronic sensors were

evaluated in blasting environments. The three different sensors selected
were (I)a sonic probe, manufactured by Irad, (2) a DC-LVDT, manufactured
by Sinco/Terrametrics, and (3) a linear potentiometer, manufactured by

Geokon.
The collar pipe serves to fix the head to the end of the borehole.
Collar pipes are designed by the manufacturers for various purposes. For
instance, the collar pipe for the Irad MPBX contained some of the sensing
instrumentation and necessarily had to be longer than the others.
The rods serve as connecting mechanisms between the anchors and

sensors. The ideal rod remains friction free in the borehole and is
4-1
_-2
relatively insensitive to thermal gradients. Friction reduction is
achieved by enclosing the rod in a plastic or metallic conduit so that
grout or loose rocks do not interfere with the rod movements. Special
metals, such as invar, are used in MPBXs for environments with thermal
gradients. Ali WTM work was planned for ambient temperatures, which remain
quite stable in the tuff in G-Tunnel, and stainless steel rods were used in
all MPBXs.
A number of anchor types are commercially available, such as mech-
anical, hydraulic, and grouted. Grouted anchors had been selected for use
in the fractured welded tuff in other work (Zimmerman et al., 1986) and
performed weil. Grouted anchors have advantages for long-term monitoring

and are considered more stable in a blast environment. Grouted anchors
have the disadvantage of the grouting process, which is sometimes difficult
to do in an upwarddlrectlon in fractured rock. Because it was felt that
the advantages outweighed the disadvantages, grouted anchors ,;ere selected

for this first effort.
Table 4,1 summarizes the MPBX anchor locations and identifies the data
channels assigned to each of the anchors.
4.1.2 MPBX--Irad Measurement Eauipment
Irad (Model 4500-6 anchor) MPBXs were used in the WTM evaluations.
The model is designed for use with a dlal gage micrometer or a sonic probe.
Irad MPBXs were selected for use in the WTM because of two design features'
(I) h_gh resistance to electrical interference and (2) the ability to
interchange electronic and manual (dial gage micrometer) sensing units.
The sonic principle used with the Irad units employs time measurements in
the MPBX head, which are transmitted digitally to a readout meter. This
means that the signal in the cable between the MPBX and the readout meter
is insensitive to undesirable voltage surges that can be induced by under-.
ground mining activities. The unit is designed for data transmission
distances up to 183 m. The second design feature was desirable because of
the possibility that sensors with electronic components could not be used
4-3
TABLE 4-1, MPBX DESCRIPTIVE _NFORMATION
Station- Anchor Depth

Position Data from Collar °
_ (Manuf,) Direction Channel (m)
C3 Up i 14.31
(Irad, 6-Anchor) 2 1.22
3 1.65
4 2.94
5 3 95
6 4 94
C6 Down 7 14 32
(Irad, 6-Anchor) 8 1 23
9 1 95
I0 2 96
ii 3 96
12 4 95
CI Left 35 14 00
(Geokon, 6-Anchor) 36 1 25
37 2 00
38 3 O0
39 4 O0
40 5 O0
C5 Right 41 14 00
(Geokon, 6-Anchor) 42 1 25
43 2 00
44 3 00
45 4 O0
46 5 O0
C2 Inclined-Left 59 14.00
(Sinco/Terrametrics, 60 1.25
4 Tensioned Anchor 61 2.00
Rods) 62 3.00
C4 Inclined-Right 63 14.00
- Rods) 66 3.00
C7, Inclined-Remote 31 I0.00

(Sinco/Terrametrics, 32 9.06 ..
Rods) 34 7.19
4-4
TABLE 4-I, MPBX DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION (ConclUded)
Station- Anchor Depth

Position Data from Collar
i
(Manuf,) ....... Direction Channel (m)...
E3 Up 13 14 00
(Irad, 6-Anchor) 14 1 25
15 2 00
16 3 00
17 4 00
18 5 00
E6 Down 19 14 00
(Irad, 6-A,,chor) 20 1 25
21 2 00
22 3 O0
23 4 00
24 5 00
E1 Left 47 14.00
Rods) 50 3.00
51 4.00
52 5.0O
E5 Right 53 34 00
(Sinco/Terrametrics, 54 1 25
6 Tensioned Anchor 55 2 00
Rods) 56 3 O0
57 4 00
58 5 00
E2 Inclined-Left 67 14.00
• Rods) 70 3.00
E4 Inclined-Right 71 14.00
Rods) 74 3.00
E7* Inclined-Remote 27 i0.00

, (Sinco/Terrametrics, 28 9.06
Rods) 30 7.19
*Measurements collar relative
4-5
in instruments placed in close proximity to the blast face and manual
measurements might have to be used until the blast face was located some
distance from the instrument. Sonic probes were used for all measurements,
The collar pipe on this model is normally 1,8 m long, The collar pipe
was shortened by Irad to 1,2 m to facilitate our measurements near the

surface, This required a small modification in the location of the f_rst
anchor by the manufacturer,
The sonic probe measures the time interval required for a stress
wave to travel between two or more points in a tube containing a magneto-
strictive material, Individual anchors are attached to magnets in the
probe through the rods, and movements of the magnets cause changes in the
time intervals. The time interval measurement is converted to a displace-
ment through an Irad Sonic Probe MB-7 Digital Readout Meter (DRM), The
. Irad MPBX was designed to operate as a manually operated unit, and anchor
displacements would normally be read directly on the DRM, SNL purchased

the DRM with an external BCD connection plug. SNL designee! and fabricated
a driver circuit and a relay switching circuit to interface with the DAS
and the DRM. These items were configured and controlled with software so
that the normal DAS scan operation would address prescribed channels in the
DRM and transfer the digital distance output to a recorded value in the
DAS.
4.1.3 MPBX--Slnco/Terrametrics Measurement Equipment
Slnco/Terrametrics Model 6-CSLT (6-anchor) and Model 4-CSLT (4-anchor)

MPBXs were used in the measurements. These models used Trans Tek Model
043-11 sensors and were selected because of (i) previous satisfactory

experiences in the G-Tunnel heated block measurements (Zimmerman et al.,
1986), (2) use of tensioned anchor rods, and (3) a built-in capability ftr
in situ calibrations. The authors wished to evaluate the friction reduc-
tion aspects of these instruments in the high-acceleration environment
associated with the blasting.
4-6
The sensors operate using a direct current LVDT. A DC-LVDT contains
two major components: (I) the body, which contains the electronics, and
(2) the sliding core, which translates with the anchor movement. When the
body is excited with a stable reference voltage, the interaction of the
body and the core results in a voltage output indicating the relative
position of the two components.
4.1.4 _PBX--GeQkon Measurement Equipment
Geokon, Model A3, 6-anchor rod-type MPBXs were also used. Geokon
MPBXs were selected for use because of two features: (i) simplicity of
electronics and (2) potential for use with short collar pipes. The sensors
in the Geokon units were linear potentiometers, which have been widely used
in underground measurements. Geokon MPBXs use untensioned anchor rods, a
practice common in underground measurements involving mining activities.
The unit had six rods covered with Schedule 40 PVC protective tubing.
4.1.5 MPBX--Insta!lation Sequences and Protective Measures
The normal sequence for the installation and operation of all MPBXs at
Stations C and E consisted of
I. blasting a recess;
2. drilling the borehole;
3. assembling the rods, protective conduits, grout tubes, and
collars, which contain the heads;
4. inserting the MPBX assembly in the borehole and grouting the
collars to the hole;

J
• 5. grouting the anchors in piace using a staged grouting procedure;
4-7
6. installing the instrument head in the collar pipe and connecting
the electronics through the DAS;
7. performing field calibrations and sensor continuity checks;
8. initializing the DAS and monitoring sensor outputs; and
9. installing protective cover plates and steel channels before

further mining (for MPBXs located in the Demonstration Drift).
Figure 4-1 also shows details associated with the protection of the
MPBXs in the rock. Each head was recessed and covered with a protective
plate because these MPBXs were placed next to soon-to-be-mined faces.

Electrical leads from the MPBXs were protected with steel channels outside
the recesses. The channels were welded together to provide continuity and
held against the roof with rock bolts.
Recesses and cover plates were not used with Units C7 and E7 because
their heads were located in the premined 12-Drift,
4.2 Borehole Stressmeter (BSM)
A number of instruments for measuring stress changes within rock
masses are available commercially, but only devices that are not easily
dislodged during blasting activities are suitable for determining excava-
tion effects. A BSM suitable for such applications was tested and evalu-
ated here for potential use in future ES testing,
4.2.1 Measurement Principle
Hawkes and Bailey (1973) developed a rigid inclusion device by fabri-

cating a stressmeter using a vibrating wire as the sensor; the device is
called a vibrating wire stressmeter (VWS). The VWS forms a rigid inclusion
in the rock mass, which means that the stressmeter is considerably stiffer
than the surrounding rock. The device is wedged in a borehole. The
4-8
wedging action keeps the stressmeter i_L piace during monitoring, and it is
considered immovable during rock mass vibrations induced by blasting.

w
Changes in the stress field normal to the borehole are reflected in changes
in the dimensions of the stressmeter, which can be experimentally related
to force or stress changes in the rocklthrough special calibrations (Hawkes
and Bailey, 1973).
Cook and Ames (1979) at SNL found !that there were difficulties in
setting VWSs in relatively soft rocks. They redesigned the VWS units to
increase the sizes of the platens and to decrease the stiffness. They
changed the measurement method by substituting a straln-gaged prism for the

I
vibrating wire sensor. The VWS require!s a special data logger to read its
i
output. The SNL-designed BSM is a speclal version of the VWS and consists
of an outer body with an external shape similar to the VWS. The SNL-
designed BSM can be read with a conventional data logger. Johnstone et al.
(1985) used the SNL-designed unit to measure thermal stress increases in
welded tuff and reported time-dependentlproblems. The problems did not
suggest that a smaller platen, such as is used with the VWS, would be a
solution. The readily available techno].ogy and experiences with the BSMs
at SNL and the simplicity of the data logging requirements led to selection
of BSMs for use in the WTM.
The sensing element within the BSM!consists of a brass plug containing
four alloy grid strain gages (gage factor of 2.05). The strain gages have
a thermal coefficient of expansion to match the brass plug that they are
bonded to. Two of the strain gages read the compression of the plug and
the other two provide temperature compensation in a Wheatstone bridge
configuration.
4.2.2 Measurement Equipment
The two BSMs used in the WTM evaluations were manufactured by
Specialty Engineering Associates. One of the BSMs, identified as IN, was
installed as issued in Borehole DI (Figure 2-4), which was 48 mm in
diameter (AQ size). Figure 4-2a shows a diagram of the unit. The other
4-9
II
I IIIIIII
AQBORE HOLE
WEDGE
.... I_-_ = I'_. llll- lli=- lli_.lJJJ_J_ Eill
UPPER PLATEN __1-_ Hl)-_-lH=_-I11
-_tllEjll-_]l.l_ll_llt_--lll_-L]l_-1!lT_';
STRESSMETER SENSOR -_llll%, III ll_ ll=--_;H'l_'
LOWER PLATEN 41= til=. lr

.........
0
_, [-'--
// ¢ _///X //// / :/J/ , ",Z', "/ :
"_,,./f, f /X/X,/X,/X×)
9"" ,
llllpl =---III
=-lll-=:=lll
=--
STRESSMETER SENSOR II ':1--_
LOWER PLATEN
SHIM
NQ BORE HOLE
(b) Nq-Slzed Hole
Figure 4-2. Schematics Showing BSM Placements
4-10
BSM, identified as 6N, was modified by Science Applications International
Corporation (SAIC) to fit a larger borehole (D4), which was 76 mm in

4
dlame:er (NQ size). Borehoi8 D4 was drilled larger than DI and was the
same diameter as the nearby borehole injection (BI) holes. The 6N unit was
modified for use by adding special bearing plates to the original unit, as
shown in Figure 4-2b. The extra bearing plates were bonded to the smaller
BSM with Hardman 5-min epoxy.
4.2.3 _nstallat_on Sequence
The installation sequence for the BSMs consisted of
I. connecting the setting tool and setting rods to the BSM;
2. connecting the lead wires to the P 350 Vishay Strain Indicator at
the proper calibration factor;
3. pushing the BSM to the desired depth and orientation in the hole
(one BSM was installed irleach hole with the sensing direction
vertical);
4. slowly pressurizing the setting-tool hydraulic Jack and connecting
cable until the shear pin, which couples the wedge to the rest of
the BSM, shears (accompanying pressure monitoring is used to

indicate the pressure requlred to set _he wedge in the rock;
setting pressures varied from Ii to 12 MPa);
5. initializing the BSM on the P 350 Vishay Strain Indicator and then
connecting th_ leads to the DAS for initialization.
The BSMs were installed separately. BSM IN was installed at a depth

of 12.5 m in Borehole DI. BSM 6N was installed in Borehole D4 at a depth
P
of 13.1 m.
4-11
4.3 Rock Bolt Load Cell (RBLC)
RBLCs are normally used to monitor changes in rock bolt forces that
occur as a result of' displacement changes in the nearby rock mass. They
serve as useful monitoring devices in evaluating some aspects of under-
ground safety. They were used here to augment the MPBX system in a manner
planned for ES testing.
Rock bolts are tensioned steel reinforcing bars (rebars) that are
placed in percussion drilled holes in the rock mass. The rebars are bonded
or anchored to the rock and contain base plates that transmit the tighten-
ing forces to the rock surrounding the holes. For measurements, an RBLC is
placed at the end of a selected rock bolt to measure the resultant force
that is transmitted to the base plate. The RBLCs contain strain-gaged
elements that are used with Wheatstone bridges to relate force changes to
voltage changes.
Ordinarily, RBLCs are applied under conditions where the rock bolts
are anchored on the ends and the tensile forces are distributed between the
base plates and the anchors. In view of NTS safety considerations in the
GTUF, the rock bolts were fully grouted. Thus, it is assumed that only a
fraction of the total force transmitted to the rock bolt was distributed to
a base plate.
4.3.2 RBLC Measurement Equipment
Sinco/Terrametrics, Model PC-60, steel units were selected for the
evaluations. The units have a capacity of 535 kN (120,000 Ibf) with a
nominal sensitivity of ± 267 N (60 Ibf). Sixteen units were purchased for
the evaluations. Four RBLCs were installed at each of two stations, as
illustrated in Figure 4-3. These were used to monitor changes in the roof
forces. The remaining eight RBLCs were positioned on grout inserts tha,_
4-12
_O_W_LI_SD
"IU_
I
l /
,, I
,, \ l
l_r_nF..B
A.TE.Ly \ _, I
_N
=--Lu'_ \\ I /
\ I /
\ I I
.....,
_,_ I,I
ELY _L
',\ ,, II
X I "_='I I
_oo_o_
__ ..__,o,
o
.... ,,, , 11, i ,,, _
.....
--°-- v J i. _
_
V
-_u__ .......... .......... I ' _ . .....
I
I
UOt_IS_-oSO
_.OI:t:, // I
/
I IV.,----_PBx
/
/ l sc_
t I_U
. _. 3.
i,_.&,a_ce
.3.3
contained hydraulic pressure cells (HPCs) and only the bottom 30 cm of
connecting rock bolts were anchored. The inserts were cast in the sides of
the Demonstration Drift for HPC evaluations, and RBLCs were applied to
surfaces of the inserts (Figure 4-4) to pick up any load that the inserts
might receive. The goal was to observe any RBLC load changes that were
compatible with pressure changes in the HPCs.
The use of RBLCs in fractured rock can be improved by properly con-
sidering load cell alignment. The base plate bearing against the uneven
rock surface can cause the RBLC and rock bolt to be out of line resulting
in bending stresses in the rock bolts and possibly the RBLCs. The
potential problem was addressed by grouting the base plates to the rock and
by providing a spherical seat between the rock and the RBLC tension plate,
as shown in Figure 4-5. The spherical seats were machined from ANSI 4340
steel by SAIC. The seats were proof tested through the full load range to
establish acceptance. The actual bearing surface was covered with a thin
layer of molybdenum grease to facilitate relative movements of the two
parts.
4.3.3 _nst_llatipn Seauenc_
Installation of the RBLCs consisted of
i. drilling a hole to proper depth;
2. installing the rock bolt with an attachment for RBLC installation,
i.e., longer extension into the drift;
3. grouting the base plate;
4. initializing RBLC voltage to zero load before installing;
5. installing the RBLC, spherical seat, tension plate, and tension °
nut; and
4-14
III1._1111
"-_--- 1,2 m x 2.4 m x 2.5 cm

" PLYWOOD
EN
ROCKpLATEBOLT
/_
BRACES
22 mm STEEL CHANNEL
ROCK BOLT
RBLC (TYPICAL)
IILIm,ll
FLOOR
ELEVATION VIEW
ROCK BOLT EPOXY GROUT INSERT
ROCK BOLT
BRACES
PLAN VIEW
Figure 4-4. Configuration of Panel Prlo_ _o Grouting
4-15
I11 •
t,-
I-- <I:
...I i.....i
0 jn
m Oz °
_"x_ m o
t- 0 "--'- 0 z
rr _i Ow
Z lI:t-
___._..._ _ _l_ / _o°
t I . i I ,IL ,f-.t
.._ . rf) _
I I "' "' '_

_.J
I I ..I iii 1::

I , _
3:
l I a.
I I r_ _o
- i "
_- I o
"_ I J
0 Z _ I"- "_
Ou,l "- • , :3
a:_- I I 0
' _ _
.._. _
• .
: : '::: :! ":':':':' (1)
....-.....
..-... ,.::::::;:;!/.::..:ii:..!:{ "' ---
:!i:i:ii::ili
I i:i:ii!!.i:.::ii!!! '
:.:,:.'.:._..
-:':'.;
:_
;"::::
:":""' ,/-.Z.:,..I
i
:
..............
' ' ',','.'.:,':".:'2':I
' "'": ..... '"
• 'i ::::;!::'_':;!!i:I
,.,
. ......,..
•:;:.,.: ..,.,, :
-:..: -. .... ,
_ _ ,
4-16
6. connecting the leads to the DAS, tightening the nut covering the
tension plate, and initializing the force in the DAS.
,b
. The tightening process consisted of tightening the external nut until
an air-driven socket wrench stalled out. The wrench produced a maximum
torque of approximately 340 N-m (250 ft-lb). The output voltages were
read after installation, and initial forces were set in the reference cali-
bration file. Initial forces were set by manually tightening the external
nuts until forces in the vicinity of 4.0 E+4 N were achieved. No attempt
was made to precisely set initial forces to a common value.
4-17/4-18
--
5.0 MANUAL MEASUREMENT DESCRIPTIONS
5.1 Tape ExtensomeCer (TE)
ATE is a standard instrument consisting of a steel tape for measuring
drift convergence phenomena between two anchors. TE measurements provided
the most significant measurement set describing the drift convergence
phenomena, TE stations were set at the end of nearly every blast round,
and measurements were taken as the mining face advanced.
5.1.1 Mee_urement PrlnciDle
ATE measurement is a direct measurement of the distance between two
anchors located on opposite sides of the Demonstration Drift. The measure-
ment is made using a special steel tape and an apparatus containing a dial
indicator. Figure 5-1 illustrates a typical measurement.
5.1.2 Measurement ggulpment
A Sinco/Terrametrlcs tape extensometer was used for all measurements.
The TE has a precision steel tape perforated at fixed intervals and a dlal
indicator capable of reading to 0.025 mm. _e TE has a special tensioning
device that is used to ensure that the same tension is applied at each
reading. With the tensioning device, readings are assumed accurate to
± 0.13 mm according to the manufacturer.
Measurements were made between anchors fabricated from 22-mm-dla rebar
with eyelets attached at the measurement ends. The SAIC-fabricated anchors
were epoxled into percussion-drilled holes along a 38-cm length, with the
eyelets recessed to prevent possible damage due to blasting.
5.1.3 Measurement Sequence
The normal measurement sequence was to

i
5-1
3.8 cm
....
l EXTENSOMETER
TAPE '
55.9cm ANCHOR
8.9 cm ----H _ _"-,_
MEASUREMENT
LENGTH
3.8 cm
Figure 5-1. Tape Extensometer Measurement Arrangement
5-2
i. drill new holes, with either a vertical or horizontal orientation,
in solid rock within i m of a freshly mined face, thus
Q
establishing an anchor station,
2. install anchors, and
3. initiate measurement sequence with TE.
5.2 Borehole Injection (BI)
Water was injected in fixed intervals in six boreholes before and

after the mining as a technique to evaluate changes in the rock mass as a
result of the mining process. The water pressures and flow rates were
measured and combined into a hydraulic quotient (HQ). This testing was a
developmental effort where HQ measurements are used to attempt to determine
changes in the rock mass caused by the excavation process.
The use of flow measurements to estimate fracture properties in bore-
holes is an established teGhnique in rock mechanics. In a recent effort,
Hodgkinson (1984) used flow measurements, called permeability measurements,

to define fracture conditions as a function of borehole depth. He
published results for measurements of flow rate per unit pressure head for
each l-m section of a borehole. His measurements were directed toward
demonstrating the limitations of using a continuum approach in describing

rock mass flows, and he was primarily concerned with demonstrating fracture
effects in rock masses Figure 5-2 shows a schematic illustrating the

movable measurement interval, which is the basic measurement approach used
in this study.
This developmental effort is an extension of the Hodgkinson work. The
B1 testing here involved taking the same type of measurements before and
after the Demonstration Drift was mined through a welded tuff rock
5-3
5-4
formation. BI measurements were taken along the lengths of six boreholes,
which were arranged in pairs of two at three star,Lone, B, D, and F, Figure

5-2 shows how two boreholes were oriented at one station. The holes
V
originated in the 12-Drift, and they were drilled before the mining of the
DemoL_stration Drift.
The flow properties are described by the single HQ parameter, which
was created for these evaluations. The HQ quantity is computed from
manually recorded flow rate and pressure measurements. Successive HQ
measurements taken at 0.6-m intervals along the length of a borehole
constitute an HQ borehole profile.
The HQ is extracted from the cubic law that is used with parallel
plate theory in relating flow properties to the average hydraulic apertures
of fractures, The basic equation for injections in a single borehole is
(Rock Testing Handbook, 1980)
[!2,,,:q.lm
(,_/r,)"Hl
113
e - [(2,_,n,Ho,Tw ) ) (5-I)
where
e - average aperture of fractures (L)*
Q - flow rate (L3/T)
- length of injected section (L)
r - radius of borehole (L)
- dynamic viscosity of water (F.T)/L 2
n - number of intersecting fractures
H o - pressure head on interval (L)
7w " weight per unit volume of water (F/L 3)
*Note that generic units are indicated in parentheses following the

descriptions.
5-5
The HQ quantity is taken as the ratio of [Q/(Ho,Tw,n)] in Equation
5-1, where n is assumed to be unity. The HQ quantity has the generic units
¥
of LS/(F,T) as extracted from Equation 5-1. In this experiment, the HQ has
the units of m3/(s,kPa) so that flow rate and[ pressure measurements are
directly convertible from the data manually recorded in G-Tunnel.
Equation 5-I may be used to calculate the hydraulic aperture of a
fracture _sing the flow measurements if the length and number of fractures
are known; however, the authors were not primarily interested in determin-
ing either the sizes of the fracture apertures in th_ intervals or the
number of fractures. They were interested in detezmining how the hydraulic
flow and pressure properties changed as a result of the mining and the
subsequent relaxation of the rock around the opening. Thus, their goal was
to perform the same type of flow measurement.s at the same locations in
boreholes under the same environmental conditions. Since HQ data can be
used to describe the general rock mass permeabilities, hydraulic con-
ductivities can be estimated from the premining measurements to serve as a
reference for those interested in welded tuff flow characteristics.
5.2.2 Measu;ement Equipment
Figure 5-3 shows a schematic of the B1 testing apparatus. The equip -
ment was assembled from components available in G-Tunnel and attached to a
p=rmeabillty cart, which had been fabricated for another SNL study. Figure
5-4 shows a photograph of the permeability cart.
The key controls for the hydraulic system were valves regulating the
flow rate. Water was pumped at a constant rate of 6 x 10 -4 m3/s (9.5
gal/min). The flow rate to the injection piping was regulated until a
desired pressure at the injection packer wa_l achieved. The excess water
was returned to the tank through a bypass valve (Figure 5-3). Once the
desired pressure was achieved, the flow rate in the injection pipe was
maintained at a steady-state condition and _nonitored for a specified time.
There were three key measurements in determining the HQ quantities:

a
(I) flow rate, (2) pressure at the injection interval, and (3) time. Addi-
tional pressure measurements were taken nea:c t_ie flowmeter, which was
5-6
5-7
located on the permeability cart, to provide a better record of the
hydraulic behavior of the flow system. Also, total flow volume was
measured with the flowmeter to facilil ate quality controls.
The flow rate and total flow volume were measured by a flowmeter manu-
factured by Flow Technology (Model FTS). The flowmeter could measure flow
rates up to 6 x I0-4 m3/s (9.5 gal/min). The lowest reading of the flow-
meter was 6 x 10 -7 m3/s (0.01 gal/min). The flow volume was read to the
nearest 3.8 x 10 -4 m 3 (0.i gal).
The primary pressure gage, manufactured by Kulite (Model XTM-190-

2006), had a range up to 1.4 MPa (200 psi). Pressure could be read to the
nearest 0.7 kPa (0.i psi).
The borehole injection equipment was fabricated for these measure-
ments. The straddle packers were commercially available. Figure 5-5 shows
the operator inseruing the perforated injection pipe and straddle packers
into a borehole. The pipe size and number of perforations were selected
after trial pumping tests. The purpose of the perforated pipe was to
maximize the amount of water that could flow with a minimum injection
length and pressure loss. A goal in the design of the packer assembly was
to create as small an interval as practical. The resulting length of the

perforated pipe was 0.28 m. Each connected straddle packer has an overall
length of 0.69 m; thus, the total length of the packer assembly was 1.66 m.
The injection interval, taken between packer-rock contact points, was
determined to be 0.68 m. As a matter of convenience, the packer assembly
was advanced in 0.61-m (24-in.) increments In obtaining HQ measurements.
5.2.3 MeasuremeDt Procedures
The packer assembly was positioned in the boreholes by manually adding
* pipe segments, 19 mm (3/4 in.) in dia. and 2.1 m (7 ft) long, to the packer
assembly and connecting the hose from the permeability cart. The position
" of the measurement interval was determined by measuring the distance from a
5-9
permanent reference point near the collar of the hole to the center of the
packer assembly. It is estimated that distance measurements could be

Q
repeated to the nearest 1.2 cm (0.5 in.)
The measurement pattern used for each interval in a borehole consisted
of measuring flow rates occurring at three different pressures that were
organized in a set of five steps. The nominal pattern was to take flow
rate measurements while holding the pressure constant at increasing and
decreasing injection pressures of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.4, and 0.2 MPa (30,
60, 90, 60, and 30 psi) for periods of 2 to 3 min. In some cases, the
fracture flow properties were such that the maximum pressure was reduced to
some attainable value and then the other pressures were proportioned
accordingly.
The general measurement procedure consisted of
i. locating the packer interval at the desired depth in the borehole,
2. pressurizing the packers to seal the interval,
3. determining the maximum pressure attainable, and
4. initiating the five-step pressure measurement sequence.
Steps 2 and 3 established pressure conditions that affected the bore-
hole. The packers were pressurized to a nominal pressure of 2.4 MPa. The
• water pressures varied from 0 to 0.6 MPa. Thus, there was a pressure
differential along the length of the borehole. Packer and water pressures
were selected after analyzing pressure effects on boreholes and considering
previous testing histories (Zlmmerman and Vollendorf, 1982) and rock
tensile strengths (Zimmerman and Finley, 1987).
5.3 Borehole Deflectometer CBD)
" A BD was used to determine angle changes in boreholes drilled around
the excavated region. The changes were to be related to mining effects.
This was another developmental effort because measurements of this type had
not previously been taken in a hard rock. The method was selected to
5-11
determine whether it could be used in lieu of usingMPBXs, which were not
as sensitive to rock mass changes perpendicular to the borehole (Heuze

o
et al., 1981).
Figure 5-6 shows a schematic illustrating the basic principle involved
in these measurements. The figure shows a borehole in the pre- and post-
mined position. After mining, the borehole axis is expected to move toward
the excavated region and deform slightly. Ideally, angle changes in the
borehole axis can be obtained by making the same type of measurements
before and after the mining process. The borehole deflections are small
and measurements are possible because of the availability of an extremely
sensitive BD, which can have an inherent sensitivity of I_.0 arc-second
(1/206,000).
The borehole profile can be measured with a BD by taking angle change

measurements as a function of the borehole length. This is called a bore-
hole traverse, and the plot of the resulting angle change measurements is
called a borehole angle chang@ profile. A profile was established in these
efforts by measuring angle changes at intervals of 0.76 m (2.5 ft). At
each interval, a reading representing an angle between two parts of an

articulated deflectometer was displayed in digital form on equipment
located outside the borehole. The digital readings were manually recorded
and later converted to degrees using a constant conversion factor.
Figure 5-7 is a schematic of the BD and shows the angle that can be
measured. Also shown is a representation of the tangential deflection.
The tangential deflection is a useful extension of the angle measurements
because it translates angle measurements into linear measurements.
5.3.2 Measurement Equipment
The BD was manufactured by Sinco/Terrametrics, Model PBD/TCD. The BD
consists of two straight, fixed-length segments linked together with a
5-12
DEMONSTRATION DRIFT
[........... " zf
_" "''.EFO.E.,N,N(_
LECTOMETER BOREHOLE
l III
_ OBSERVATION DRIFT (12-DRIFT)
Figure 5-6. Schematic Showing Mining-Related Deflectometer Measurement

Concept
5-13
_ 5-14
strain-gaged flexible connection. The BD was manufactured so that the
three permanently positioned wheels were the primary reference set for
• traverses and a set of three spring-mounted wheels was used to keep the BD
aligned in a grooved PVC casing. During a traverse, the flexible connec-

tion transmits a continuous signal that is the analog of the angle changes
between the two segments.
A specially grooved PVC casing was grouted into each of the boreholes
to ensure good coupling with the rock. The casing, 69.5 mm in diameter,
was purchased in 3.0-m lengths and glued together during installation. The
casing was fabricated so that the BD could be oriented in two orthogonal
positions. Specifically, the casing has four small grooves [1.65 x 5.1 mm
(0.065 x 0.2 in.)] cut in the inside wall of the casing at four quadrant
points.
5.3.3 Measurement Procedures
Measurement procedures were recommended by the manufacturer. The
normal procedure was
I. to insert the BD in the casing and initialize it, and
2. to repeat the measurements at 0.76-m (2.5-ft) intervals along the
length of the borehole.
5.4 Hydraulic Pressure Cells
HPCs were installed in wedge-shaped grout inserts to simulate under-
ground installation conditions for planned ES testing. HPCs are used in
underground applications to measure changes in stresses in concrete liners
or possibly in cavities cut in rock surfaces. HPCs are planned for use in
° the ES liner, and the 'testing described here represents a familiarization
effort in working with the cells.

a
5-15
Figure 5-8 is a schematic showing the major components of an HPC in
piace. Normally, the pressure cell with hydraulic transducer and

J
connecting pressure lines are cast in concrete. The cell fluid is mercury,
and hydraulic oils are used in the pressure system. After the concrete has
set up, the end of the repressuring tube is squeezed, thus driving the
surfaces of the pressure cell firmly against the concrete surface
surrounding the cell. This action integrates the HPC into the concrete
structure. The repressuring llne is fixed so that the mating of the cell
to the surrounding material is permanent, and the action is called
"lockoff." It is assumed that the cell becomes a part of the concrete
structure. The pressure cell then detects any changes in the concrete
stress field acting normal to the cell, and the changes in the cell
pressure are assumed to be equal to the stress changes in the concrete.
The pressure measurement is made with the aid of the hydraulic system.
Fluid is pumped into the pressure line, and it bears against the diaphragm.
When the input hydraulicpressure is slightly greater than the cell fluid
pressure, the diaphragm in the hydraulic transducer causes a valve to open
and the hydraulic fluid is pumped back to a reservoir near the hydraulic
pump in the return line. In this testing, grout was substituted for
concrete.
5.4.2 MeasurementEquipment
Glotzl Concrete Stress Cells, Model B 10/20, were used in the grout
inserts. The pressure cell was capable of measuring pressures up to
30.4 MPa (4400 psi) with a reported accuracy of ± 30 kPa. Each unit was
I0 x 20 cm (4 x 8 in.). The cells were pressurized with an MIHI6 hand
pump, and the pressure was read directly with a pressure gage provided with
the cells. The pressure gage was calibrated by the manufacturer.
5.4.3 Installation Features
The main purpose for using the HPCs was to evaluate installation
procedures that might be used in the ES. The authors were concerned about
5-16
/% ' ,
!iil ,'F,'SSU
ECELL
CELL FLUID '_'' " ^ i ' " ,
JO
REPRESSURING TUBE'-'-"U:-" I' ,'' _.,_.' "7 " 'HYDRAULIC TRANSDUCER'
U i'i ,/,',_,! i ' I I
RETURNLINE---_'_ -^' A ::
.i' ""_'
^ , '" ^'. ", ^, ,' 'I
' . ' . A A ,/
PRESSURE
LINE
FROM HYDRAULICPUMP
II ' ' ^' ' , ,( , :/v
- ' ' . " ._
- c;.ou'r
Figure 5-8. Schematic Showing Major Components of Hydraulic Pressure Cell
5 - I-_
JI,. I
(I) falling concrete disturbing the HPC placement, and (2) air pockets
forming around the HPCs during the concrete placement. They attempted to
simulate the concrete with a relatively dry grout mix.
Figure 5-9 shows the testing concept. A wedge-shaped cavity was mined
into two ribs of the Demonstration Drift. The cavity was covered with a
sheet of plywood that was rock-bolted to the rock, forming an enclosed
cavity (see Figure 4-4). The plywood held the HPCs in configurations
expected for the 0.3-m-thick ES liner. An opening was made at the top of
the plywood so that a stiff grout, a substitute for concrete, was pumped in
to fill the cavity, forming a grout insert. After the grout had hardened,
the pressure cells were activated to establish the lockoff pressure, and
then pressures were monitored periodically.
Only one technique was used in grouting the inserts for the HPCs, and
no meaningful procedure developments evolved. As a matter of record, the
grout used had the following proportions'
Chemcomp _ 1164 kg/m 3

Gyps_n 93
Water 582
Friction Reducer I____22
1851 kg/m 3
The grout was pumped in at a rate of 0.06 m3/min. Approximately 1.5 m3 was
pumped into the left insert and 1.6 m3 into the right insert.
5.5 Borehole Grouting
5.5.1 Borehole Grouting Procedures
Grouts were applied to boreholes to anchor equipment in the boreholes.
In one case, the grout was to hold the PVC casing in p].ace for the BD
measurements, and in the other, the grout was to hold the MPBX anchors in
piace.
5-18
15.2 cm -.J 53.3 ©m
a, 2.1m .I _ _HPCs
....t" -'-- _ROCK BOLT

0.Sm _-
DRIFT SECTION VIEW GROUT INSERT
I
45.7 cmp -_
21.6 cm
i i iii
S3.3 ©m
_..2om
__ 0 0 I
1 I A
0,3 ,4 0 I I
_" #B INSERT PLAN VIEW
, INSERT ELEVATION VIEW
Figure 5-9. Schematics Showing HPC Details
5-19
Two types of grout were used, Sulfa_set was used as a fast-settlng,
gypsum-based grout. An expansive cement, Chemcomp, was used as the
Portland.cement-based grout, Both grouts were mixed to viscosities judged
sufficient to pump through the various size grout tubes, The intent was to
reach the maximum viscosity that could be pumped through the t_bes so the
grout would bridge across fractures,
The grouting process for the BD tubing was started first and required
modifications in the procedures, Originally, the four boreholes for the BD
measurements were drilled to a diameter of 76 mm (NQ size). Grouting was
started in Hole B1 with uncertain success° The casing had a 6,4-mm feed
tube near the bottom of the hole, and there was a bleed llne at the top.
In this way, the grout would be pumped into the bottom to completely fill
the annulus between the outside of the casing and the borehole surface,
The grouting scheme was to put a slug of water on top of the grout column
at the bottom of the hole, When the hole was fully grouted, the water
would appear in the bleed line, and the hole would be assumed to be fully
grouted, The bleed llne would not fit betweer the casing and the borehole
wall; it had to be located within the casing and a seal provided at the
top. Calculations showed that 0,011 to 0.015 m3 (3 to 4 gal) of' grout
should fill the annulus, Approximately five times this amount of grout was
pumped into the hole, and no water showl_d in the bleed tube, Water did
show in Holes B2 and B3, indicating interconnecting fractures. No grout
showed in the other holes probably because of its increased viscosity, The
end of the shift arrived, and still the hole had not been filled up and the
grouting process had to cease, As a followup on another day, approximately
0,08 m3 of grout was pumped into the bleed tube to attempt to close the
upper part of the annulus, The inside of the casing was cleaned, and it
was assumed that the casing was grouted in piace.
The lessons learned in grouting Hole BI suggested that the remaining
holes should be enlarged, and Holes B4, FI, and F4 were reamed out to a
diameter of 96 mm, For these holes, five grout tubes, 9,5 mm in diameter,
and a slmilar-slzed bleed tube were added to the outside of the casing
(Figure 5-I0), ,,_hegrout tubes were terminated at regular intervals, The
5-20
. NOTE: CLOSE-UP SHOWS GROUT TUBING
ANGLE CUT, SO AS NOT TO
HANG-UP ON BOREHOLE WALLS.
GROUT TUBES PVC TUBING
ASSEMBLY
/UCT TAPE CAP AND PULLEY

, /
•_-3 m---_. 6.1 m
j
_ 9.1 m
< .... _ 12.2 m
< .... > 15.2 m
< ..... 18.3 m
4
/ COLLAR PiPE
/ FOAM RUBBER ANCHORS
I I I I-" _l SEPARATORS
STAGE 1
--_{ GROUT l< STAGE 2 GROUT _1
----o 1 2
o 3
GROUT o 4
TUBES o 5
o 6
rl
Figure 5-i0. Typical Grouting Details for BD and MPBX Boreholes
5-21
bleed tube was located at a distance of 18.3 m. The collar of the casing
was sealed with a Sulfaset to prevent grout flow into the drift, The
Portland-cement-based grout was started in the shortest tube, When
the grout showedby return flow in the next longest tube, the first tube
was closed off, the pumping was switched to the return tube, and the
shutoff/switching process was repeated until the grout was observed in the
longest tube. The grouting procedure was terminated at this showing. This
staged grouting procedure worked weil, and the expected amount of grout was
added to each of the holes. There was no check of the adequacy of the
grouting, but the second process gave the authors more confidence that the
grouting was adequate.
Groutiug for the MPBXs was similar in nature to the BD casings, but
the MPBXs required more preparation. The MPBXs required separation of the
anchors so that they could act independently. This meant that the grout
columns should be interrupted between the anchors. This was accomplished
by fabricating cardboard donuts near the anchors. The donuts were under-
sized so that the grout could flow past.
The first two MPBXs that were grouted in were C7 and E7. The general
procedures used with the most recent BD casing installations were tried.
The major difference was that the ends of grout tubes were placed near the
anchors. The longest tube served as tile last return tube, and grout return
there signaled the end of the grouting. Drift excavation to Station C

revealed that the last anchor was partially grouted; hence, the grouting
procedures were modified again for subsequent MPBX installations.
The borehole grouting procedures for the MPBXs installed in the Demon-
stration Drift are discussed in reference to Figure 5-10. Grouting
occurred in two stages in those holes, and there were some differences in
the procedures for up (roof) and down (floor) holes. A foam packer was
added to the end of the MPBX collar. This packer served the purpose of
helping to separate the grout column from the collar pipe. Six 9.5-mm-dia.
5-22
tubes were connected to the MPBX anchor assembly. Two tubes were located
along the pipe between the collar and foam packer and the remaining four
" were located between the foam packer and the deepest anchor.
For inclined boreholes oriented near the horizontal, Stage i grouting
consisted of pumping Sulfaset into the shortest tube and filling the void
up to the next tube. The Sulfaset was used to establish a good borehole
seal at the bottom of the grout column and to ensure that the pipeand ali
grout tubes were firmly installed. After the Sulfaset cured for approxi-
mately Ihr, the Stage 2 grouting began. Stage 2 grouting consisted of
pumping Portland-cement-based grout in four tubes using the same

pump/shutoff/switch technique used in Brouting the BD holes. The shortest
of the four tubes was terminated above the packer, the next longest was
terminated above the five anchors, and the remaining two were terminated
slightly below and slightly above the deepest anchor. As an additional
step in ensuring full grouting in the space between the next deepest anl
deepest anchors, the grouting procedure was changed when the grout column
reached the next longest grout tube. When grout returned from this line,
the grout operation was stopped, the line was cleaned, and the grout in the
borehole was allowed to set up for a period of 2 hr. Then, the grout was
pumped in the next longest line and stc,pped when there was return in the
line that was beyond the deepest anchor. At the termination of pumping,
ali lines were closed and the grout was allowed to cure for at least 2 days
before tensioning anchor rods or working with the MPBX.
For the down holes, the Stage i grouting consisted of pumping Sulfaset
in the space between the collar and foam packer. The Sulfaset was allowed
to harden for 2 hr to set up a good seal for the collar pipe. Next, the
_re_t was added to the longest tube, and the pump/shutoff/switch procedure
was followed until there was grout return in the tube nearest the foam
packer.
5-23/5-24
6.0 MINING ACTIVITIES
6.1 Controlled Blasting
6.1.1 Controlled _asting Ob]ective_ fo_ _-Tunne_
_e construction of the Demonstration Drift represents the first docu-
mented effort of mining in welded tuff for purposes of repository evalua-

tions. The drift was sized to dimensions of some drifts planned for
repository drifts to provide NNWSI engineers with a prototype for use in
later ES developments and ongoing repository designs. Within limits, the
focus was on providing information for the ES because this is the next
planned excavation in welded tuff. It is realized, however, that the
results are also applicable to repository designs. The limits were that
the controlled blasting evaluations would have to be performed during the
mining of a relatively short, 29.6 m long, drift. This meant that there
would be limited opportunities to optimize blast designs or significantly
change techniques or equipment.
The three objectives of the G-Tunnel WTM were formulated by personnel

from Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas (PBQ&D) and SNL and consisted
of the following"
I. Minimize overbreak and damage to the surrounding rock.
There are three important concerns that are influenced by
blast design and execution'
® stability and rock strength,

• drift dimensions and rock surface conditions, and
• crack propagations about the perimeter.
By applying controlled blasting techniques, ali three concerns

o
are addressed and moderated. First, ground support efficiency
is improved as a result of less damage to _he surrounding rock.
This means reduced ground support requirements and subsequently
6-1
less maintenance. Second, drift dimensions are more exact as a
result of less overbreak, which means that there is less rock to
handle. Also, the contour of the perimeter is smoother, allowing

for more efficient ventilation. Third, controlled blasting
reduces crack propagations into the surrounding rock mass. Such
cracks can contribute to deteriorations of the rock and/or become
preferential pathways for fluid or gas flows. Currently, the
candidate repository at Yucca Mountain is located in the unsatu-

rated zone above the static water table and fluid flows are not
expected during the operational periods, yet there is a need to
minimize the development of preferential pathways so that
repository waste package and sealing programs will benefit. ES
testing programs are designed to assess these aspects, and the
work in G-Tunnel is the pioneering effort.
2. Attain a 3-m full-face advance.
Expected ES and repository mining plans call for applications
of drill and blast techniques as well as mechanical mining
techniques. In most cases, where blasting is used, full-face
blasting will be used in the underground excavations for the ES
because of the need to advance drifts as quickly as possible. A
goal in these evaluations was to establish an effective blast
pattern design for use in future welded tuff mining efforts. A

3-m advance was selected as an initial goal based on historical
blast data (Langefors and Kihlstrom, 1979). They suggest that
face advances equal to one-half the round width (6.1 In) are
reasonable. Greater advance rates are desirable and most likely
will be pursued in future mining efforts.
3. Evaluate Fragmentation.
An understanding of rock size distribution as a product of
various blasting techniques and procedures is important to
facilitate the design of efficient muck removal and dust control
6-2
systems. The goal in these evaluations was to document the muck
sample size distributions from a typical round for these general

• considerations.
6.1.2 Controlled Blasting Techniques
Hoek and Brown (1980) discuss blasting in underground applications and
indicate smooth blasting and presplitting as the two most commonly used
techniques to control damage in excavations. In either case, the objective
is to minimize crack propagation about the designed perimeter of the

excavation.
In smooth blasting, there are closely spaced parallel holes on the
perimeter that contain low-density charges. The perimeter charges are
detonated last, and the final slab of rock is explosively driven into the
cavity formed from previously blasted rock that was nearer to the center of
the round. The low-density perimeter charges minimize the damage to the
remaining final excavation surface.
Presplitting differs from smooth blasting in that the boundary
charges, placed in very closely spaced perimeter holes, are detonated
first. This causes a bounding crack defining the shape of the opening. In
marly cases, the perimeter is blasted separately from the remainder of the
round. According to Hock and Brown, presplitting is usually used in
benching operations where there is a greater need to relieve horizontal
stresses. Presplitting is slower than smooth blasting because of the need
for more perimeter holes and the extra step in the mining cycle. Smooth
blasting was therefore selected by PBQ&D as the most suitable control
blasting technique for continuous underground developments.
6.2 Smooth Blasting
6.2.1 Smooth Blasting Concepts
The most important principle associated with blast design is the
concept of blasting to a "free face." That is, the explosive energy is not
6-3
completely confined in the rock but is used to move the fragmented rock
away from its resting piace. There are two popular techniques to initiate
a "free face" when smooth blasting a full-face heading' the burn cut and
the angle cut. In competent rock, the burn cut is preferred over the angle 4
cut chiefly because there can be greater advance per round while allowing
for applications of smooth blasting techniques.
The basic principle of a burn cut blast pattern is that the empty
hole(s) (burn holes) in the center of the pattern act as the free face to
the burn reliever holes, as shown in Figure 6-1. Different types of holes
are identified with special symbols in the figure. The explosive energy of
the reliever holes is used to break a wedge of rock toward the empty burn
hole, which enlarges the free face of the burn hole to include the burn
reliever holes. Subsequently, in a blast delay sequence, the production
(stope) holes break to the enlarging void area to further expand the blast
opening. The lifters (along the floor) and perimeter holes (around walls
and roof) fire last to complete the blast delay sequence.
The basic principle of an angle cut blast pattern is to remove a large
wedge of rock near the central portion of the round to provide the needed
void space for subsequent blast relief. This is accomplished by drilling

pairs of holes into the face forming a V-shaped pattern, as shown in Figure
6-1. These holes are loaded with explosives, which are fired first and
usually in pairs, resulting in the wedge of rock exploding into the drift.
As with the burn cut, the subsequent production holes follow in sequence
and break into the newly opened wedge area. Again the lifters and
perimeter holes are fired last to complete the blast.
One of the important concepts associated with smooth blasting is the
use of the "lookout angle." To maintain the uniform shape of the drift
cross section from one round to the next, the perimeter holes have to be
angled out to provide sufficient space for the drilling equipment, lt is
important that the "lookout angle" be as small as possible and that ali
perimeter holes should be nearly parallel so that the spacing between holes
stays constant as a function of depth.
6-4
r
6-5
6.2.2 Smooth Blasting Factors
Once the burn or angle cut technique is selected for a round, there
are a number of factors that have to be considered. These relate to the
physical details associated with blasting a round. They are summarized and
discussed here so that descriptive quantities have a reference base. The
following are 'the factors that must be considered'
I. Excavation height and width--These are the rectangular cross-
sectional dimensions used to describe the excavated shape. The
actual shape is defined with a drilling pattern.
2. Nun_er of perimeter holes--This factor identifies the number and
spacings of perimeter and lifter holes. Svanholm et al. (1977)

recommended that the center-to-center spacing of the perimeter
holes should be about 15 times the hole diameter.
3. Number of production holes--This is the number of holes, in

addition to the cut and perimeter holes, that contain the
remainder of explosives. These are also called stope holes.
4. Number of cut holes--This is the n_nber of holes used to pull the
initial cut in the rock. For the burn cut, they are called burn
relievers, and for an angle cut, they are called angle holes.
5. Length of holes--These are the design length of holes required to

pull the round to advance the distance desired.
6. Perimeter explosive type--A description of the explosives used in
the perimeter holes. Usually these explosives are smaller than
the holes to allow expansion and minimize the explosive energy on
the perimeter. The perimeter explosive weight is the total
weight of explosives used in the perimeter holes.
6-6
7. Production explosive type--A description of the explosives used
in the production holes. The production explosive Weight is the
total weight of the explosives used in the production holes.
8. Cut explosive type--A description of the explosives used in the
cut. Explosives vary with the cut design used.
9. Number of delays--Description of the number of delays used with
the nonelectric caps.
i0. Powder factor--An empirical factor describing the ratio of the
total quantity of explosive used per blast round to the volume of

rock removed. It is computed using the volume of rock that was
in place before the blast and the sum of perimeter, production,
and cut explosive weights.
6.2.3 Smooth Blasting Details
6.2.3.1 Blast Patterns
Figure 6-2 shows a plan view illustrating the individual blast rounds.
Rounds are identified by number. The mining was conducted in four stages,
as shown. Stage I consisted of three smaller size rounds followed by

additional removal of the right and left ribs. The Stage I space had to be
excavated so that a twin boom drill Jumbo could be positioned for full-face
drilling. The smaller-size rounds were used to gain familiarization with
the welded tuff. The drilling for rib removal had to be performed using
jacklegs. Different types of explosives and loading procedures were tried
in the mining in this stage.
Stage II was the start of full-face mining using the drilling jumbo.
° Stage II blasting consisted of two rounds that were shot using a hex burn
cut design. Figure 6-3 shows the details. Different symbols are used to
indicate perimeter, lifter, production, and burn holes. The numbers
associated with the holes are the blast delay sequences.
6-7
6-8
Two factors influenced the mining for Stage III. The end of Round 5
was the location for the Station C instrumentation. First, it was decided
that the rounds between Station C and E would be short rounds so that the
drift convergence studies would be enhanced. The second factor was the
#
observation that the rock quality was deteriorating somewhat because of the
presence of the fault beyond Station C. A burn cut was used for Round 6A;
however, drillers encountered rubble in the rock during the drilling
operations. Because a burn cut is difficult to drill in rubble, a V-cut
blast pattern was selected for Round 6B, The V-cut blast design is shown
in Figure 6-4. The next Round, 7A, was still in the fault/shear zone, but
the central part was in relatively competent welded tuff and a burn cut was
used. The ].ast round for Stage III was a short round needed to reach the
Station E instrumentationlocatio,l. Round 7B was only 1.2 m long.
Stage IV of the blasting program consisted of the excavation of five
rounds to complete the Demonstration Drift. Originally, the goal was to
complete this last stage with full 3.0-m rounds. However, it was necessary
to replace drills on the jumbo, and only 2.4-m long drill steels were
readily available. Thus, the last five rounds were shorter. All blast
patterns for Stage IV were essentially the same. A triangular burn cut was
used, as shown in Figure 6-5. The pattern was selected to
i. simplify burn and blast patterns,
2. reduce drilling,
3. lower the powder factor, and
4. maintain or improve perimeter control blasting.
6.2.3.2 Explosives
The explosives used were selected from those normally available at the
NTS. Two types of explosives were used for general production hole
charging' ANFO and Hercodyne. A special product, Hercosplit, was selected
for use in the perimeter holes. These explosives are briefly discussed.
ANFO, a prill-type explosive (ammonium nitrate and fuel oil), was used
in the production and lifter holes for much of the Stage I mining. The
6-10
_
6-11
6-12
ANFO prills are blown into a hole and pneumatically loaded to a density of
approximately 0,95 g/cm 3, This entity yields a load of about 1.49 kg/m for
holes approximately 45 mm in diameter. A cartridge of Hercodyne was
located at the back of the holes and served as a primer booster to activate
the ANFO, It was difficult malntaining quallty control in loading the ANFO
in this particular rock type; thus, it was not used in the three remaining
blasting stages,
Hercodyne is a cartridge-packed ammonium nitrate (nonnitroglycerin)
high explosive. Cartridges are available in diameters of 25- and 32-mm and
in lengths of 203 and 406 mm, Hercodyne cartridges can be tamped into
holes to achieve higher densities, The normal load concentrations are 0.64
and 0,91 kg/m for the two hole sizes, The last cartridge in a charge
column is normally tamped to stem the hole,
Hercosplit is a specialty explosive used in blasting operations

where overbreak control about the perimeter of the opening is desired,
Hercosplit is a water-resistant, semigelatine dynamite. Hercosplit was
used in ali perimeter holes and usually in the burn holes. Cartridges are
22 mm in diameter and 0,61 m long and can be coupled together to form a
single long charge, Hercosplit has a borehole load concentration of
0,45 kg/m, From an improved blasting standpoint, a less dense or smaller
diameter product might have been preferred, lt was Judged that the basic
objectives of this initial mining activity could be achieved using the
NTS-supplied explosives.
Ali blast holes were sequenced for detonation with LP Nonel Primadet
delay detonators, These nonelectric caps were usually placed at the bottom
of the blast hole in the first loaded cartridge. A normal delay pattern
consisted of 16 delays, The total elapsed time for the 16 delay i1_tervals
was 9.6 ms, Lead-in lines from individual blast holes were tied to a
" single length of explosive cord (E Cord), This cord detonates at a high
velocity of 7000 m/s, A blasting cap and safety fuse were used to activate
" the explosive cord,
6-13
6.2.3.3 Drilling for Blasting
One of the features of the G-Tunnel WTM evaluations was to assess
suitable drilling techniques that may be used for repository-sized
excavations. To obtain good drill precision on a production basis, a large
twin boom drill jumbo would De necessary. A drill jumbo was not available
¢] the NTS for the experiment; thus, one was leased that was suitable for
(I) drilling a full face with a single setup and (2) drilling a 3-m round.
A used Eimco Secoma drill jumbo was leased based on size, availability, and
cost considerations. The drill jumbo was equipped with two Gardner Denver
D93 drifter drills. These drills came with 32-mm by 3.7-m drill steels and
44-mm dia production bits, both button and X-type bits. Also, 76- and
102-mm dia button bits were available to drill burn holes.
Jacklegs, which are available in G-Tunnel, were used whenever it was
impractical to drill with the drill jumbo or when the drill jumbo was down
for repairs. Jacklegs were used to drill the rib (side wall) excavations
in Stage I and the final itwo rounds, Ii and 12.
6.3 Ground Support
Three considerations led to the selection of welded wire mesh with
grouted rock bolts for ground support for the Demonstration Drift. The
first was the rock mass classifications where this type of ground support
would be at the upper end of the ranges in both systems (Langkopf and
Gnirk, 1986). The second was the evidence in G- ,nnel that rock bolts and
wire mesh had proved to be satisfactory for drifts in moderately welded
tuff up to 4.9 m wide. The third was the nominal rule of thumb used in
estimating support requirements on the NI[S. The nominal NTS requirement is
that rock bolts and wire mesh can be used with a minimum of a 1.2-m spacing
between the bolts, and the lcr _hs of the bolts are a minimum of one-half
" the width of the opening. +
long and spaced in a 1.5- x 1.5-m pattern, with welded wire mesh. The
recommended wire mesh was 9-gauge wire welded in a 10.2- x lO.2-cm grid.
6-14
_, , n r, ,, +iFlr; iii11 ,,
Included in the recommendation wa_ the provision that the rock bolts and
mesh would be installed along with the excavation. SNL made two changes to
these recommendations. The first was that a woven wire (chain link) mesh
, would be used. The welded wire mesh was re_._mmended because a better view
of the rock _urface could be available and the welded wire mesh could be
used with shotcrete if necessary. Woven wire mesh, made from ll-gauge
steel and in a nominal 5- x 5.cm pattern, was readily available at
G-Tunnel. The second change was related to the use of the woven wire mesh,
which was available in rolls 2.4 m wide. The rock bolt pattern was changed
from 1.5 x 1.5 m to 1.5 x 1.2 m to accommodate the width of the woven wire
mesh during installation. Neither of these changes threatened safety
aspects in the mining. Thus, the final design shape and ground support
pattern was as shown Figure 6-6.
Along with the ground support recommendations, PBQ&D recommended that
alternate ground support systems be demonstrated, lt was realized that the
drift was too short to conclusively select one ground support method over
another, but considerable insight regarding any problems could be gained by
demonstratlng different ground support methods in welded tuff. The current
practice of using resin-routed rock bolts is quite suitable for ambient
temperatures, but they are susceptible to creep when subjected to heat,
such as would occur in a repository setting. Therefore, nonresin-based
grouts or other types of ground support have more promise for repository
applications.
Two types of cementitious grouts were used. Sulfaset, a gypsum-based
grout, was used in the two rows immediately following Station E (Round 8).
Gypsum-based grouts offer advantages over Portland cement grouts in that
they generally set faster and cure to higher ultimate strengths. Expansive
Portland cement grouts, made from Type II Chemcomp, are nontoxic,
inexpensive, and adaptable to the mechanized bolting system. Portland
cement grouts were used for the next two rows of bolts (Round 9) after the
gypsum-based grouts.
6-15
6-16
The next two rows of holes, after the cement-based grouts (Round i0)
were used, were fitted with Swellex rock bolts. Swellex bolts are
friction-type rock bolts that are inserted and expanded against the hole
surface with water pressure. They are easily installed and are well suited
to situations where a quick primary support is used so that a final support
can be installed with some light protection overhead. A disadvantage to
the use of Swellex bolts is the possibility of corrosion.
The final ground support for the remainder of the drift was a
fibercrete. A steel fiber-reinforced shotcrete was applied directly to the
freshly mined surface in thicknesses ranging from 76 mm (3 in.) to 127 mm
(5 in.). The fibercrete was sprayed on through a hand-held nozzle. Mixing

of components was at the nozzle. The fibercrete used had approximately 1%
by weight of fibers.
6-17/6-18
i
7.0 SUMMARY
This report describes the preparations leading to the fielding of the
WTM Experiment. The report provides documentation on the experiment
layout, the pertinent geology, the DAS, the mining activities, and the
instrumentation. Instrumentation discussion was divided into two major
chapters associated with the data collection activities • measurements
collected on the DAS and measurements collected manually. Instrumentation
was described in terms of measurement principle, the equipment used, and
the installation details. This report is followed by a data summary report
(Zimmerman et al., 1989), an experiment evaluation report (Zimmerman
et al., 1988), and an instrumentation evaluation report (Zimmerman, R. M.,
R • A . Bellman Jr. , K . L. Mann , and T. William Thompson, "G-Tunnel Welded
Tuff Mining Experiment Instrumentation Evaluations," SAND88-1331, Sandia

National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, Draft).
7-1/7-2
8,0 REFERENCES
Cook, C. W., and E. S. Ames, "Borehole Inclusion Stressmeter Measurements

/ ' _u Bedded Salt " Proceedings 20th U S Symposium on Rock Mechanics Austin
'.; TX, 1979 . (NNA. 8.90906.0182)
/ _: DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), "Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage

Investigations" FYI980 Project Plan and FYI981 Forecast," NVO-196-13,
Nevada Operations Office, Las Vegas, NV, February 1980. (NNA.871130.O070)
DOE (U.S. Department of Energy), _'Site Characterization Plan, Consultation

Draft," Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Washington, DC,
January 1988. (HQS.880517.0937-.0943)
Hawkes, I., and W. V. Bailey, "Design, Develop, Fabricate, Test, and

Demonstrate Permissible Low Cost Cylindrical Stress Gages and Associated
Components Capable of Measuring Change of Stress as a Function of Time in
Underground Coal Mines, " OFR-54-75 , U .S . Bureau of Mines, Washington DC,
November 1973. (NNA.900418.0001)
Heuze, F. E., W. C. Patrick, R. V. De la Cruz, and C. F. Voss, "In situ

Geomechanics, Climax Granite, Nevada Test Site," UCRL-53076, Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 1981. (NNA.890906.0169)
Hodgkinson, D. P., "Analysis of Steady-State Hydraulic Tests in Fractured

Rock," AERE-R 11287, DOE/RW/84.076, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority,
Oxfordshire, UK, 1984. (NNA.900418.0005)
Hoek, E., and E. T. Brown, Underground Exc@vations in Rock, The Institution

of Mining and Metallurgy, London, England, 1980. (HQS.880517.2301)
Johnstone, J. K., G. R. Hadley, and D. R. Waymire, "In Situ Tuff Water

Migration/Heater Experiment' Final Report," SANDSI-1918, Sandia National
Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, March 1985. (HQS.880517.1655)
Langefors, U., and B. Kihlstrom, 'the Modern Technique of Rock Blasting,

John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY, 1973. (NNA.901127.0186)
Langkopf, B. S., and E. Eshom, "Site Exploration for Rock-Mechanics Field

Tests in the Grouse Canyon Member, Belted Range Tuff, Ul2g Tunnel Complex,
Nevada Test Site," SANDSI-1897, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque,
NM, February 1982. (NNA.9004(3.0379)
Rock Testing Handbook, RTH-381-80, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1980.

(NNA.890327.0042)
' Svahholm, B. O., P. A. Persson, and B. Larssor, "Smooth Blasting for

Reliable Underground Openings," Proceedings ist International Symposium on
Storage in Excavated Rock Caverns, V. 3, Stockholm, Sweden, 1977.
(HQS.880517.1712)
_ 8-1
Zimmerman, R • M ., and W . C . Vollendorf, "Geotechnical Field Measurements,
G-Tunnel, Nevada Test Site," SAND81-1971, Sandia National Laboratories,
Albuquerque, NM, May 1982. (HQS.880517.1720)
q
Zimmerman, R. M., R. L. Schuch, D. S. Mason, M. L. Wilson, M. E. Hall,

M. P. Board, R. P. Bellman, and M. P. Blanford, "Final Report' G-Tunnel
Heated Block Experiment," SAND84-2620, Sandia National Laboratories,
Albuquerque, NM, May 1986. (HQS.880517.1724)
Zimmerman, R. M., and R. E. Finley, "Summary of Geomechanical Measurements

Taken in and Around the G-Tunnel Underground Facility, NTS," SAND86-1015,
Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, May 1987. (NNA.870526.0015)
Zimmerman, R. M., R. A. Bellman Jr., K. L. Mann, and D. P. Zerg_, "G-Tunnel

Welded Tuff Mining Experiment Data Summary," SAND88-0474, Sandia National
Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 1989. (NNA.900214.0309)
Zimmerman, R. M., R. A. Bellman Jr., K. L. Mann, D. P. Zerga, M. Fowler,

and R. L. Johnson, "G-Tunnel Welded Tuff Mining Experiment Evaluations,"
SAND87-1433, Sandia National Laboratories, _,Ibuquerque, NM, 1988.
(HQS.880517.3224)
8-2
APPENDIX
* Candidate Data for RIB
|
This report contains no data from or for inclusion in the RIB,
Candidate Data fo; S_PDB
This report contains no data from or for inclusion in the SEPDB.
A-I/A-2
, ii, , , , ii n
,lp,

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S_D--88-0 475

SANDBB-0475 DE91 007149

G-TUNNEL WELDED TUFF MINING EXPERIMENT PREPARATIONS

Robert A. Bellman, Jr., and

Designers and analysts of radioactive waste repositories must be able

" _iR BU'FION OF" Tt"_i,_ Eil<.i_C:LJ_'_="'

• I.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................... i -i

I.i Background ................................................ I-i

2.0 EXPERIMENT LAYOUTS AND GEOLOGY ................................. 2- I

2. I Experiment Layouts ......................... ............... 2 -I

3.0 DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS (DASs) ................................. 3- i

3.1 Computerized Data Acquisition ............................. 3-I

3.1.1 Components of the Data Acquisition System .......... 3-1

3.2 Manually Recorded Data ................. ................... 3-6

4.0 DAS CONNECTED INSTRUMENTATION DESCRIPTIONS ..................... 4- i

4.1 Multi-Point Borehole Extensometers (MPBX) ................. 4-I

4.1.1 MPBX--Components and Principles .................... 4-1

4.2 Borehole Stressmeter ,',BSM)................................ 4-8

4.2.1 Measurement Principle ............................... 4-8

4.3 Rock Bolt Load Cell (RBLC) ................................ 4-12

4.3.1 Measurement Principle .............................. 4-12

5.0 MANUAL MEASUREMENT DESCRIPTIONS ................................ 5- I

5.1 Tape Extensometer (TE) .................................... 5-I

5.1.1 Measurement Principle 5-1 ,,

5.2 Borehole Injection (BI) ................................... 5-3

5.2.1 Measurement Principle ... ........................... 5-3

5.3 Borehole Deflectometer (BD) ............................... 5-11

5.3.1 Measurement Principle .............................. 5-12

5.4 Hydraulic Pressure Cells .................................. 5-15

5.4.1 Measurement Principle ............................... 5-16

5.5 Borehole Grouting 5-18

5.5.1 Borehole Grouting Procedures ....................... 5-18

6.0 MINING ACTIVITIES .............................................. 6-1

6.1 Controlled Blasting 6-1

6.1.1 Controlled Blasting Objectives for G-Tunnel ........ 6-1

i 6.1.2 Controlled Blasting Techniques ..................... 6-3

6,2 Smooth Blasting ........................................... 6-3

! 6.2.3 Smooth Blasting Details ............................ 6-7

6.2.3.1 Blast Patterns 6-7

6.3 Ground Support ............................................. 6-14

. 7,0 SUMMARY ......................................................... 7-I/

8.0 REFERENCES ..................................................... 8-I

APPENDIX: RIB/SEPDB Data ........................................... A-l/

2-1 Plan View of Demonstration Drift Details Associated with

3-1 Block Diagram Illustrating DAS ................................ 3-2

4-1 Schematic Showing Typical MPBX Arrangement .................... 4-2

5-1 Tape Extensometer Measurement Arrangement ..................... 5-2

- 2-i Borehole Descriptive Information .............................. 2-5

3 1 Descriptive Information for Computer Based Measurements ....... 3-4

4-i MPBX Descriptive Information .................................. 4-4

The authors are indebted to many for their contributions to these

From Sandia National Laboratories

Robert L. Schuch For an excellent job of coordinating activities of

From Science Applications International Corporation

Mike Allen For exceptional dedication in the tape extensometer

From Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas

Will Streeter For generous applications of talents in mining

From Fenix and Scisson

Mike O'Brien For continued support in geologic interpretations

Lavell Atkinson For assistance as REECo tunnel superintendent in the

Yucca Mountain on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) is composed of a thick

sequence of volcanic ash-fall and ash-flow ruffs. This mountain is being

nologies are adequately developed before testing in the Exploratory Shaft